Oli77's maintenance & yearly totals ledger

[Oli77]

Got the car exactly one year ago (4/21/2010) so I thought I would post a little thread about BMW ownership, maintenance and stories about what happened. It’s a 325i from 2005, silvergray metallic, ZSP, manual, leatherette, totally stock still to this day. Throughout the year I have had a lot of fun entering in picture contests across forums (including this one). I have hundreds of picture of my car!

Purchased from independent dealer in TN, clean carfax, two owners. Car had 61K miles and I paid $14.5K. Original add (see here) asked for $ 16,755. Car was originally purchased (new) in FL, and then made its way to TN. The original owner had driven 46K miles in two year so I am pretty sure those were all highway miles. Anyway, when I got it, it had just come out of warranty and had been a trade at a local Dodge dealer. The independent dealer who sold it to me had gotten it as his primary car from the original Dodge dealer and had driven it ~ 6 months. I am not sure that the last two years of warranty were taken care off by a BMW dealer (see later).

Original pic from dealer who sold it to me.



The day I arrived at home after a 3 hour drive from TN, I was standing outside the car while it was running, and I heard a metal on metal noise coming from under the car (perfectly matched to rmp). With the help of knowledgeable members on several forums (and internet searches), I found out the throw out bearing was on its way. It still is, and there has not been any worsening of the symptoms. I can deal with that latter, as clutch is still plenty good and I’ll take care of the TOB in due time. I have learned to slowly let go of the clutch when I arrive at a red light and the noise is almost non perceivable.

I paired my cell phone right away after I found the pairing code under the Bluetooth control unit in the rear left wheel compartment (from trunk). See here

Learned about the mod sock so I did that right away (thanks Dane)!

Got rid off the pin stripes.

In the next 2 weeks, the car developed a leak of windshield wiper fluid (dealer had told me about a grommet I needed), and the floor mats were busted. First Bavauto purchase: $157.85 shipped.

I then noticed I was missing the splash panel in the front right wheel well, it stunk when I turned on the AC (cabin filter)and I was missing a child seat anchor cover on rear seat. Second purchase at Bavauto was placed: $119.75 shipped.

Then I did the license plate delete (thus far, the cleanest most eye-candy mod for me). Third order at Bavauto: $28.90 shipped.

Before:




After:



Then I started dealing with a “clunk” in the back. Thread can be found here. I still have it, and I have learned to deal with it (think it’s the rear differential mount).

I spent a long time under there looking around. Even though the car only had ~61K miles, it had new CAB (HD Meyle), new radiator hoses (found part number stickers still on them – lower, and several upper), and a new looking guibo. These numbers, the Meyle CABs and the new guibo indicate (I think) that changes were made by previous owner but not a BMW dealer.

Then I had a dealer check my subframe (passed), also found out a new battery had been installed at 42K miles (car was 2 years old- odd).

About then it was winter and the first significant “break” was the Thermostat (stuck open –no heat). Had an Indy change to metal water pump, new T –stat with housing, the belts and the idler pulley. Fourth purchase: $539.72.

I also bought the winter rubber BMW mats (~$ 50) around that time.

I know that I need to change my brakes (known that since day 1 of purchase but light has not kicked on). I will order from brakeyourself.com (our buddy Ray) and DIY.

There has also been a clunk coming from the front when I break (realized it within first few weeks of ownership). For the longest time I thought it was the pads moving around. It has gotten noticeably worse since last year. In some case I can feel a shock in the brake pedal as I apply pressure. Found out recently the lower ball joint on the left control arm is shot. Indy: $290.

So that’s the story on this first year anniversary. I am happy, love the car, the smell, the look, the build, the feel, the handling, the smooth sound, the engine and even the clunk! I did not indicate oil changes but they are done every 7K miles. Car now has 68K miles.

Did not do the math but including a couple oil changes, that sounds about right, $1000 for first year (excluding the control arm - not yet done)? Next week, I am getting a new control arm and at least one of the clunks will be gone.

[danewilson77]

Nice writeup. Thanks for sharing.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[kayger12]

Good read.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[Oli77]

Thanks buds, figured I would keep a thread going on the car and review occasionally, has time goes back.

Can Markus edit the title, there is a space missing between "year" and "of" and it bugs me.

[spencers]

Holy hell. I purchased my e46 on 4/21/2010 as well!!!

Nice chronicle of ownership. The car sounds like an excellent purchase.

[Oli77]

Telepsychic! Cosmic too.

Thanks for whomever fixed that space in the title.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Thanks buds, figured I would keep a thread going on the car and review occasionally, has time goes back.

Can Markus edit the title, there is a space missing between "year" and "of" and it bugs me.

I fixed your title yesterday. Because I micromanage the site, very few things get by me. When I saw the lack of a space between the words, I fixed it. One way or the other, you can count on me to take care of you here at ZHPMafia.com.

[Oli77]

Thanks Boss.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

De nada, good sir.

[Oli77]

Front left Control arm being done as we speak. I will update the price and start the "maintenance fee calculation" for the second year of ownership later today.
A Febi-Bilstein is being put in (guess my Indy guy is a stickler for German-made parts).